Effect Of Mulching On Growth And Yield Of Apple Underrainfed Conditions Of Hilly Region

Abstract

Apple (MalusdomesticaBorkh.)is the main crop grown in the rainfedhilly district of Doda, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The orchards are mainly established on medium to steep slopes, thus making the plants prone to water stress as well as nutrient loss from the soil. Under such conditions, mulching plays an important role to minimize moisture and nutrient loss but the farmers are not practising it. Considering the above factors, an onfarm trialwasconducted during the years 2016-17 and 2017-2018. The trial consisted of three treatments viz., T1-clean cultivation as control,T2- mulching with dry grasses, and T3- mulching with black polythene. The maximum annual growth (27.44 cm) was observed under black polythene mulch, while minimum was found under clean cultivation. The highest fruit yield(35.77kg/plant)was recorded in mulching with black polythene followed by mulching with dry grasses, however, lowest fruit yield (27.30 kg/plant) was observed under clean cultivation. Mulching with black polythene increased the yield by 31.74 percent as compared to control. It can be concluded that the plastic mulch has been found to be the best treatment for enhancing growth and yield of apple crop under rainfedhilly conditions.